It's nice to see that my prediction (based on the X-mas video) appears to still be holding true: that the album will be released by the end of 2017. I know a lot of people doubted it (fairly, given U2's track record) and probably still do, but I'm still confident that SoE is coming within the next 5.5 months.

As for the idea of a listening party, it's hardly a new thing in the music business. Many artists--though typically those who aren't massively popular--do it. Usually this is done when the album is close to coming out, but some artists do it to gather feedback. That's what U2 seems to be doing.

I would venture to guess that hardcore fans aren't being invited to these listening parties. They're biased and aren't the base U2 are targeting. Now, don't get me wrong, U2 care about their fans and what they think, but they're still seemingly focused on the relevancy thing. They need to know if the songs are something that casual fans/people who aren't fans at all/radio people will like. I'm guessing these are the sorts of people at the listening parties.

Personally, I think it's dumb to still focus on getting a hit as it has the possibility of cheapening their legacy if done wrong. However, what I have heard of the samples/lyrics for the new songs so far, seems to suggest a very solid album. I happen to like Little Things and feel it has the potential to be one of the better songs on the album. I also see potential in Best Thing, provided all instances of electronic sounds are removed from it (which, again, it sounds like is the case). I haven't heard the other songs (aside from the one sampled in Kendrick's track, which also sounds like it has potential) but I'm optimistic.

I think someone else said that, given the rumored tracks, this album may be one of the most musically diverse U2 has released in a long time, where every song is pretty different (and thinking about the three we have heard in some shape or form, this makes sense--they're all so different). That's exciting to me.

As far as market saturation? People have to realize that U2 are one of the biggest bands of all time and they are the biggest that is still regularly touring. We've lost many legendary musicians the last several years and I'm sure because of that, there's a certain urgency to see artists in concert before they stop touring. Combine this factor with the fact that U2 puts on one of the best live shows around and is pretty reasonable with many ticket prices (compared to other huge artists) and the fact that they're allegedly sticking to arenas next year...well, I don't think they'll have any difficulty selling out multiple nights in most cities. The 2015 tour ignored many, many major markets. TJT tour only partially satisfied these markets--they're still hungry for more.

monopoly

Even "hits" in today's world aren't really hits. The radio stations are paid to play the same thing over and and over again. Songs from 2013 like "clarity" or "get lucky" aren't even played anymore and are considered old. Real Hits like WOWY get played occasionally to this day.

The meaning of the word hit has been lost. U2 should stop chasing that and make music that resonates live.

Even "hits" in today's world aren't really hits. The radio stations are paid to play the same thing over and and over again. Songs from 2013 like "clarity" or "get lucky" aren't even played anymore and are considered old. Real Hits like WOWY get played occasionally to this day.

The meaning of the word hit has been lost. U2 should stop chasing that and make music that resonates live.

Utterly pathetic song, I just have no idea who they are trying to kid - it's not as if it's going to storm the charts, and the only folk who will like it are MOR Radio 2 listeners more suited to Elaine Page and Englebert Humperdinck.

Someone with a bit of creative balls really needs to tell them to get a grip.

Utterly pathetic song, I just have no idea who they are trying to kid - it's not as if it's going to storm the charts, and the only folk who will like it are MOR Radio 2 listeners more suited to Elaine Page and Englebert Humperdinck.

Someone with a bit of creative balls really needs to tell them to get a grip.

They say it's going to be different than the version we have heard - (KYGO remix??). I'm not enthused about that version - it doesn't sound like U2 to me (I don't even hear Edge's distinctive guitar sounds). But I am holding out hope that The Best Thing that appears on SOE is quite different - and more interesting - than the one that the public has heard so far - which sounds like something they play over the PA at Forever 21.

Utterly pathetic song, I just have no idea who they are trying to kid - it's not as if it's going to storm the charts, and the only folk who will like it are MOR Radio 2 listeners more suited to Elaine Page and Englebert Humperdinck.

Someone with a bit of creative balls really needs to tell them to get a grip.

They say it's going to be different than the version we have heard - (KYGO remix??). I'm not enthused about that version - it doesn't sound like U2 to me (I don't even hear Edge's distinctive guitar sounds). But I am holding out hope that The Best Thing that appears on SOE is quite different - and more interesting - than the one that the public has heard so far - which sounds like something they play over the PA at Forever 21.

Utterly pathetic song, I just have no idea who they are trying to kid - it's not as if it's going to storm the charts, and the only folk who will like it are MOR Radio 2 listeners more suited to Elaine Page and Englebert Humperdinck.

Someone with a bit of creative balls really needs to tell them to get a grip.

Really, you've heard the final versions of every song on the album, and you think TBT is a pathetic choice?

I know it sounds like I am being a ****, but to make that statement, you really have to have heard the final version of this song AND everything else on the album. So unless you have, I am not sure why you would want to be so negative about a rumor that is still 6 weeks away from being proved. Are you just trying to avoid the Christmas rush and be miserable early?